On Saturday, residents and business owners met with U.S. Rep. John Boehner, the Republican minority leader.

One local Realtor said, "It's a necessity that we put this thing into high gear. It's not a 'oh hum harry' thing, it is the survival of Auglaize and Mercer counties."

Boehner's congressional district covers the Mercer county portion of Grand Lake. The West Chester resident said the meeting reinforced something he already knew.

Boehner said, "We've got to get the lake cleaned up and get it open as soon as possible."

But, like many other elected officials, he did not have a solution to do it. He said he feels for business owners losing so much.

"It's a terrible position they're in and there's no easy answer of terms what can do to be helpful," he said.

Boehner wore a rubber band sold by local business officials to raise money to fix Grand Lake. When asked if he would pursue federal money for the fix, he said no way.

"I am not going to break my earmark policy nor do I think I have to," he said. "There are enough federal and state programs out there that we can work with individuals affected by this to try to get them the help they need."

Boehner said he feels the federal government will be able to work best with farmers on nutrient management practices, some of the long term fixes for Grand Lake.

For the short term, he added to the list of people calling this a lost summer.